Brake mechanism



March 28, 1939. E. E. HEwl'rT` ET AL BRAKE MECHANI SM Filed Aug. 24, 1937 NWN NNN U .mmm Salam QH Nom mm www. o@ n INVENTORS ELLIS E HEVVITT BYDONALD L .McNEAL ATTORNEY Pimm.. E. m41# Patented Mar. 28, 1939 y PATENT OFFICE BRAKE MECHANISM Ellis E. Hewitt, Edgewood, and Donald L. Mo-

l Neal, Wilkinsburg, Pa., assignors to The Westinghouse Air Brake Company, Wilmerding, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August ,24, 1937, Serial No. 160,562

93 Claims.

This invention relates to brake equipments and more particularly to brake equipment for rail- `way rolling stock to be employed in high speed train service. i

Modern transportation conditions require that railway trains be operated at relatively high speeds. In high speed train service, it is imperative that the brake equipment on the several vehicles of the train operate with a high degree of reliability and iiexibility of control, so that train may be easily handled with the utmost regard for safety. The principal object of the invention is to provide an improved vehicle brake equipment having brake controlling characteristics which render it particularly ladaptable for use in vehicles to be operated at high speeds.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved vehicle brake equipment'embodying means whereby the brakes may be controlled either by straight air operation or by automatic operation and whereby a combined automatic and straight air emergency application of the brakes may be effected through the operation of the straight air control means. The advantage of this. arrangement is that if leither of these brake controlling means should for any reason lfail to provide the desired control of the brakes the other may be employed thus renderan improved vehicle brake equipment embodyingmeans whereby the brakes may be.A controlled either by straight air operation or automatic operation and in which the means for controlling the automatic operations may be controlled by the use of usual type of automatic brake valve device employed on locomotives, and which will function in harmony with the usualtype of universal valve devices employed in passenger equipment cars. The advantage of such an arrangement is that the equipment may be employed Y equally as Well in a train in which the combined automatic and straight air control of the brakes is employed as in a train in which only the automatic control is employed.

In some types of combined automatic and straight air brake equipments heretofore einployed it has been discovered that when a straight air application of the brakes is being eiected the automatic portion of the equipment has a tendency to move to application position and when such movement occurs an undesired automatic application of the brakes is effected.

It is therefore a further object oi the invention to provide an improved combined automatic and straight air brake equipment in which the automatic portion thereof is stabilized against unintentional movement vto application position when a straight air application of the brakes is being eiected or at any other time.

`In combined automatic and straight air brake I equipments it is the u'sual practice to employ a v matic portion from the application and release pipe,y however there is a possibility of leakage of fluid under pressure from the application passage past the seated check valve to the supply passage and .any chambers connectedtherewith. In equipment heretofore employed there was no way for fluid leaking into the supply passage to escape, so that the pressure of iiuid in the passage and chambers in communication therewith was increased according to the rate of leakage and duration of .the application of the brakes. Now when in releasing the straight air brake application, the pressure of the straight air pipe has been reduced to slightly below the 'pressure unintentionally built up in the supply pipe the check valve lwill be caused to move from its proper position to a position to cut oil. the further release of uid under pressure from the application and release pipe, with the result that the brakes will be maintained applied with a brake cylinder pressure substantially equal to,

the pressure of uid in the supply pipe. This is very objectionable in that the operator has no Way oi knowing that some of the brakes may be thus maintained applied, so that while the train is in motion the usual brake shoes will drag on the wheels and cause unnecessary wear and heating of both the shoes and the wheels, but more serious damage is done when the retained brake application is such that the wheels are -caused to slide on the track rails causing fiat spots to be worn on the wheels. 'I'he time when this is most likely to occur is when the train is put in motion after having been brought to a stop. It is therefore another object of the invention to provide a combined automatic and straight air brake equipment in which an uninthe quick service communications from the brake pipe to the automatic brake controlling valve device and to also close communicationfrom the brake pipe to a supply reservoir from which fluid under pressure .is supplied to effect an application of the brakes and for maintaining these communications -closed until, in releasing the brakes, the fluid previously supplied from the supply reservoir has been reduced to a predetermined low degree.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following more detailed description of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view, mainly in section, of a fluid pressure brake equipment embodying the invention and Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the manner of' converting the equipment for automatic control only.

As shown in the drawing the equipment may comprise a brake pipe I, a straight air pipe 2, a brake controlling valve device 3, an` auxiliary reservoir 4, an emergency reservoir 5, a supply reservoir 8, a relay valve device 1, a brake cylinder 3, a displacement volume device 3, a retaining valve device I and a double check valve device Il.. a

The brake controlling valve device 3 may comprise a pipe bracket I2, an equalizing or triple valve portion I3 which is clamped to one side of the bracket and an emergency portion I4 which is clamped to the other side of the bracket, there being a gasket I5 interposed between the casing of the triple valve portion and the bracket and a gasket I6 interposed between the casing of the emergency portion and the bracket.

The equalizing'or triple valve portion I3 may comprise an equalizing or triple valve device I1, a `relay release valve device I8, a relay release interlock valve device I9, a combined cut-ofi and quick service limiting or modifying valve device and a release insuring valve device 2|.

The equallzing valve device I1 may comprise a casing having a piston chamber 22 which is connected to the brake pipe I by way of a restricted passage 23 in a strainer retaining nut 24 having screw-threaded connection' with the pipe bracket, a strainer device 25 which is secured to the pipe bracket by the nut 24, and a passage and pipe 28. The chamber 22 contains a piston 21 having a stem 28 adapted to operate a main slide valve 29 and an auxiliary slide valve 30 contained in a valve chamber 3| which is connected to the auxiliary reservoir 4 by way of a passage 32, valve chamber 33 of the release relay valve device I8, a passage 34 and a passage and pipe 35.

As shown in the drawing, the valve chamber 3| is closed at one end by recessed casing section 3B which is clamped to the main casing section, there being a gasket 31 interposed between these casing sections. The recess in the casing section 36 is ofk greater diameter than that of the major ,umuuwA portion of the chamber, and Vclue to this,the rearendofthemaincasingsectionlervesas Aa stop shoulder for limiting inward movement of a stop member 3l which is slidably mounted in the casing section 3l. Interposed between and engagingthe stop member 3l and the casing section 3l is a spring 3l which,l at all times, tends to move the member in the direction toward the stop shoulder. with the severalparts o f the equalislng valve device in release position as shown the spring II acts to maintain the stop member 3l in engagement with the stop shoulder.

-The rear end portion of the piston stem 2l extends through a central opening in the stop member 3l and is slidably guided by an annular lug 4l, preferably formed integral with the casing section Il. The pistonstem, at a point located a short distance inwardly from its rear end, is provided with a coller orlug 4I. o ne side of which is adapted to be engagedby the-stop member 3l -and the other side of which is adapted to engage a rear end surface 42 of the main slide valve 23.

The rearendportion of the piston stem 2l is provided with a stabilizing mechanism which is fdr the purpose of stabilizing the action of the several parts of the equalizing valve device against unintentional movement to initial quick service position due to unavoidable uctuations in brake pipe pressure but which will yield a predetermined reduction in brake pipe pressure in initiating an application of the brakes. This stabilizing mechanism is of substantially the same construction and functions in the same manner as the corresponding mechanism fully disclosed and broadly claimed in a patent to Clyde C. Farmer, No. 2,031,213, issued February 18, 1936 and for this reason need only be briefly described here as comprising a plunger 44 which is slidably mounted in the piston stem to move longitudinally and is subject to the pressure of a spring 45, and which is adapted toy cooperate with the main slide valve to prevent accidental movement of the stem and auxiliary slide valve to initial quickservice position. As shown the piston stem normally maintains the forward end of the plunger out of engagement with the main slide valve. comprise a casing which, inA the present embodiment of the invention, is integral with the casing of the equalizing valve device I1. Provided in the casing is a piston chamber 46 which is connected to a passage 41 leading to the seat for the equalizing m'ain slide valve 29 and which contains a piston 48 having a stem 49 adapted to operate a slide valve 50 'contained in valve chamber 33, which chamber 33 is in constant open communication with the equalizing valve chamber 3i by way of passage 32 and in constant open communication with the auxiliary reservoir by way of passage 34 and passage 'and pipe 35. Also contained in the piston chamber 43 is a plunger 5I which is slidably mounted on a guide member 52 secured to a -spring seat 53 secured to the casing, which plunger is at all times held in engagement with the face of the piston by the action of a spring 54 interposed between and engaging the plunger and spring seat.

The relay release valve device I8 may equalizing piston 21 and auxiliary slide valve 30 move from their normal release position toward service position, all of which will hereinafter more fully appear.

This valve device I9 may comprise la casingv which is integral with a cap'member 55 and whichis clamped-to the filler member 36, there passage 6I, which, as will hereinafter more fully appear, leads from aivalve chamber 62 of the check valve device I to a pipe 68 connected to' the displacement chamber 9. At the other side of the diaphragm is a chamber 64 which is constantly connected through a restricted passage 65 to the atmosphere. Contained in chamago ber 64 and slldably guided by the casing:` is a follower 66 which is in operative engagement with the diaphragm and which is provided with a stem 61 adapted to operate a slide valve 68 also containedin chamber 64, said slide valve being interposed between and engaged by spaced operating collars 69 and 10 carried by the stem.

The -rear face of the collar 10 engages with a stop member 1| which is slldably mounted in the cap member 55 and an auxiliary cap member 12 clamped to the cap memberrwhich stop member is subject to the action of a spring 13 interposed between and engaging the cap member 12 and stopmembe'r. Movement of the stop member 1| in the direction toward the diaphragm is limited. as shown, by an annular stop shoulder formed on the cap member 55.

When the equipment is charged with fluid under pressure the underside or face of the interlock slide valve is subject to the pressure of fluid from both the auxiliary and main reservoirs and in order to prevent s uch pressure from raising the valve from its seat a loading mechanism is provided which comprises astrut 15 having its lower end in thrust engagement with the back of the slide valve 68. The upper end of the strut is operatively engaged by a flexible diaphragm 16 having at one side a chamber 11 which is connected through a passage 18, a passage 19 and a passage and pipe to the emergency reservoir 5. The diaphragm 16, under the influence of the pressure' of. fluid admitted tothe chamber 11, acts through the medium of the strut 15 to maintain the slidevalve 68 in close contact with its -seat against the opposing iluid pressure acting on brake cylinder pressure, has been increased to about fourteen pounds; and secondly, to maintain the initial quick service venting communication closed when a release of the brakes is being effected; and thirdly, to maintain communicai. tion between the brake pipe andthe supply reservoir closed as long as thepressur'e in the relay piston chamber is higher thanthe setting of the valve device.

This valve device 20 mayl comprise a casing which in the present embodiment of the inven tion isintegral with the cap member 55 and also comprises a movable abutment which may bein .the form ofa ilexible diaphragm 8| `and which,

as shown, may be formed integral with the gasket 56. At one side ofthe diaphragm is a chamber 82 .which is connected to the piston chamber of the relay valve device 1 by -way oi'xa passage 88 and a passage and pipe 84. At the other side of the diaphragm is a chamber 85 which is connected through a restricted passage 86 to the atmosphere. Contained in the chamber, 85 is a movable follower 81 which is operatively engaged on one side by the diaphragm 8| and on the other side by a spring 88 which is seated on the casing. This vfollower is provided with a stem 89 which.- at its end, is pivotally connected to the arm 90 of a bell-crank lever 9| rockably mounted on a pin 92 carried by the casing, the other arm 93, being f pivotally connected to the stem 94 of the hollow cut-oil' valve piston tori and engages one end of a spring 96 which is 'I I contained in and seats on the valve piston and through the mediumof which the stem is adapt-v ed to act to move the valve piston. The valve piston is provided with a valve 91 which is adapted to engage an annular seatrib 98 carried by the casing. to cut' oil. communication from a chamber |00 to a passage |02. The chamber |00 is connected to a passage 99 leading from a restricted passage |0I which is connected to the equalizing piston chamber 22 and consequently to the brake pipe, and the passage |02 has a branch passage |03 which is connected to a passage |08 leading to the seat for the equalizing main slide valve 29, there-being interposed in the communication between the passages |03 and |06 a ball check valve |04 and a disk check valve |05 which is arranged in seriesV 'with the ball check*A being connected as just described is also connected to the supply reservoir 6v by -way of a ball check valve |01. a disk check valve |08 which is arranged in series with the valve |01 and which is subjec'tto the pressure of a spring |09 having a value oi around vilve pounds, spring chamber ||0, a short passage lll, a spring chamber ||2, a

passage ||8 in which there lsinterposed a choke plug ||4 and connected pipes |I 5 and H6. From the foregoing description it will be seen that the valve 91 is operative to control communication from the brake pipe -to both the equalizing valve device and supply reservoir.

'Ihe release insuring valve device 2| is provided for the purpose oi'. venting uid under pressure from thel equalizing valve chamber 3| and auxiliary reservoir 4 to the atmosphere when the brake pipe pressure exceeds auxiliary reservoir pressure by approximately one and one half pounds, thus facilitating the release of the .brakes on cars where the operating parts of the equalizing valve device, due to excessive friction, do not promptly move to release position in response to a slightly lower uid pressure diierential. This releaseinsuring valve device is ofv substantially the same construction and functions in the same mannery as the corresponding mechanism fully Patent No. 2,031,213 and for this reason will here be only brieily described as comprising a casing which, in the present embodiment oi the invention, is integral with the auxiliary cap member 12 and also comprises a .nexible diaphragm ||1 which'may be formed integral with a gasket ||2 interposed between the cap members 55 and 12. At one side ot this diaphragm is-'a chamber ||2 which is connected to the restricted brake pipe passage and at the other side is a valve chamber which is constantly connected through a passage |2| to the equalizing slide valve chamber 2|. Contained in chamber |20 is a vent valve |22 which controls communication from this chamber to a vent passage |22 which leads to the seat ior the equalizing main slide valve 22. This valve is normally maintained seated on an annular seat rib ,carried by the casing by the action of a spring |24 interposed between and operatively engaging the valve and a cap nut which has screw-threaded connection with the cap member 12. Also contained in the valve chamber |20 is a follower member |26 which is movable by the flexible diaphragm ||1 to control the operation of the vent valve |22. l

The relay valve device 1 is provided for that purpose of supplying fluid under pressure from4 the supply reservoir 6 to the brake cylinder 0 to eiIect an application' of the brakes and also for the purpose or venting fluid under pressurefrom the brake cylinder to effect a release of the brakes, and is adapted to be controlled either by the straight air portion of the equipment or by the automatic portion.

This relay valve device may be of substantially the same construction -as the relay valve device;

disclosed and claimed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,096,491 to Ellis E. Hewitt, issued October 19, 193'? and ior this reason a detailed description of the device in the present application is deemed unnecessary. It should here beA mentioned that with the several parts of the equipment in release position the relay valve device connects the brake cylinder 8 to atmosphere and that when in effecting an application oi the brakes fluid under pressure is supplied through pipe 84 to the piston chamber oi the relay valve device, .the device functions to iirst close the atmospheric communication from the brake cylinderand to then supply iiuid under pressure from pipe ||6 and thereby from the supply reservoir 6 to the brake cylinder by way of thebrake cylinder pipe |21. When, in eiecting a release of the brakes, iluid under pressure is vented from the pipe 84 and consequently from therelay piston chamber, the device functions to vent uid under pressure from the pipe |21 and brake cylinder to the atmosphere.

'I'he double check valve device I is for the purpose of conditioning the equipment for either straight air or automatic operation and is automatically operative to its proper conditioning position when uid under pressure is supplied thereto in initiating an application of the brakes.

This device may comprise a casing |28 which lis clamped to yone side of the pipe bracket I2 and may also comprise a cap |29 which is secured to the casing in any desired manner. Interposed between the casing and the pipeV bracket is a gasket |30 and between the cap and casing is a similar gasket |3|. Slidably mounted in the casing |28 is a valve member having a valve |32 at one end adapted to engage the gasket |3| to close communication from the passage 6| to the pas- 'l awsiaisv-- d f sage 24 leading to the piston chamber oi the relay valve device 1. At the other end the valve` member is provided with a valve |22 which is `adapted to engage the gasket |2| to close 'communication between a passage and pipe |24. leading irom'the straight air pipe 2, and the pasl The displacement volume device 2 is provided i'or the purpose or adding volume to 'the piston chamber oi the relay valve device to control the operation oi the relayvalve devic'e to provide the proper build up ot brake cylinder pressure in substantially the same manner as this control has been eiiected by the useoi` the well known dummy brake cylinder. This device may be oi substantially the same construction as the corresponding device shown, described and claimed in an application 0f Ellis E. Hewitt, Serial No. 156.693, med

Julyv 3l, 1937 and i'or thisreasonneed onlybe described brieiiy as comprising casing sections |25 and |25 which may be secured to the shell oi' the combined auxiliary and emergency. reservoirs as shown, the casing section |25 forming one of the heads oi the auxiliary reservoir. clamped between these casing sections is a movable abutment in the form of a'ilexible diaphragm |21. At one side of the diaphragm is a chamber |32 which is in constant open communication with the'plpe 52, and at the other vside is a chamber |29 which is isolated from the interior of the auxiliary reservoir and connected to the atmosphere through the medium of a pipe |40. The diaphragmis normally held in the position in which it is shown by the action oi a coil'spring |4| having one end secured to the casing section |20 by means ci a cap nut |42 which has screwthreaded connection with the casing section and the opposite end secured to a bolt |42 carried by the diaphragm.

The emergency portion I4 lmay comprise an emergency valve device |50, a safety valve device |5| and a quick action vent valve device |52.

'I'he emergency valve device |55 may comprise a casing having a piston chamber |53 which is i connected to the brake pipe by way of a passage |6| formed in the pipe bracket l2.

' As shown the valve chamber |59 is closed .by a recessed cap 62 which is clamped to the main casing section. The recess in the cap is of greater diameter than the adjacent end of the valve chamber, so that the rear end of the main casing section serves as a stop shoulder for limiting inward 'movement of a stop member |83 which is slidably mounted in the casing section. Interposed between and engaging the stop member and the cap |62 is a spring |60 which, at all times, tends to move the member in the direction of the stop shoulder. With the several parts of the emergency valve device in normal release position as shown, the spring |54 acts to maintain the stop member in engagement with the stop shoulder. 4

vThe rear end portion of the piston stem |56 extends through a central opening in the stop member |63 and is slidably guided by an annular lug |65, preferably formed integral with the cap |62. The piston stem, at a point located a short distance inwardly from its rear end. is provided with a collar or lug |55, one side of which isadapted to be engaged by the stop member |88 and the other side oi' which is adapted to engage a rear end surface |81 of the emergency main slide valve |51;

The rear end portion oi' the piston stem |58 is provided with a stabilizing mechanism which is for the purpose of stabilizing the action oi' the Y tially the same construction and functions in substantially the same member as the corresponding` device iully disclosed and claimed in the aforementioned Clyde C. Farmer Patent No. 2,031,213 and in view of this the mechanism may be brieily describedv as comprising a plunger |68 which is slidably mounted in the piston stem to move longitudinally, and is subject to the pressure of a` spring |99, and which is adapted to cooperate with the main slide valve |51 to prevent the accidental movement of the stem and auxiliary slide valve |58 to emergency position and to move the emergency `piston |55 out of sealing engagement with the gasket lupon the initiation of the release oi the brakes following an emergency application. l

The slide valve chamber |59 of the emergency valve device is connected tothe emergency reser- Voir by way of a passage |10, check valves 1| and |12 arranged in series, a passage |13, a passage |14 and a passage and pipe 80. This communication is provided for the purpose of permitting uid under pressure to flow from the quick action chamber to the emergency reservoir when for any reason the quick action chamber is charged at a rate faster than that at which the emergency reservoir is being charged, thus preventing the quick action chamber from becoming overcharged.

For the purpose of preventing iuld under pressure, acting on the face of the main slide valve |51 of the emergency valve devicefrom raising the valve from its seat when the pressure of uid in the valve chamber |59 is reduced, a loading mechanism is provided. This' mechanism as shown may comprisea ilexible diaphragm |15 which is mounted in the casing. of the emergency valve device and which operatively engages a strut or rocking pin |16 through the medium of which a. loading forceis adapted to be transmitted from the diaphragm to the valve. The slide valve chamber |59 is open to the underside of the diaphragm and at the other side of the diaphragm there is a chamber |11 to which the valve chamber 50 is adapted to be connected by way of passages 80,. |14, |13 and a restricted passage |18. It will thus be seen that the diaphragm is normally subjected to emergency reservoir pressure on one side, which is balanced by a corresponding fluid pressure in chamber |59 so that the diaphragm does not act to exert downward pressure on the main slide valve, however, when the pressure of uld in chamber |59 is reduced in eiecting an. application of the brakes the diaphragm acts to exert pressure on the valve.

The emergency valve device also comprises a high pressure valve device which is operative in eiecting an automatic emergency application of the brakes to connect the emergency reservoir 5 to the piston chamber oi' the relay valve device "atmosphere At the other or spring side of the f valve piston is a chamber |86 which is connected to a passage |49 leading to the seat for the emergency main slide valve.

The surety valve device 5| is associated with the emergency valve device and is provided' i'or the purpose of limiting the pressure oi iiuid obtainable in the piston chamber of the relay valve device 1 and consequently in the `brake cylinderA to around sixty pounds when an automatic service application of the brakes is effected. 'This device is of the usual well known construction and for this reason a detailed description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

`Farmer Patent No. 2,031,213.

The quick action'vent valve device |52 is for the purpose of locally venting iiuid under pressure from the brake pipe to the atmosphere at a rapid rate to propagate quick action throughout the length of a train when an emergency application is initiated and is of substantially the same .construction as the corresponding device fully disclosed in the aforementioned Clyde C.

Briefly described this device may comprise a casingy which in the present embodiment of the invention is integral with the casing of the emergency valve device and which is provided with a piston chamber |81 containing a piston |88 having a stem |89 adapted to control the operation of a Doppet type of vent valve |90 contained in a valve chamber 19| which is connected through la 4passage |92 and strainer device 25 to the brake pipe passage 26. Also contained in chamber |9| is a spring |93 which is interposed between and engages the valvel90 and a spring seat |94 removably carried by the casing. The vent valve is normally maintained seated by the action of the spring |93 so as to close communication from the valve chamber |9| to a passage |95 which is constantly connected to the atmosphere. 'I'he piston chamber |81 at one side of the piston is connected to a passage |96 leading to the seat for the emergency main slide valve |51. At the other side of the piston there is a chamber |91 which is normally connected through a passage |98 to' to the atmosphere when in eecting an emergency application of the brakes the quick action piston is moved into sealing engagement with an annular gasket tending around the quick action piston is a leakage groove 20| which, when the piston isin its normal position as shown, permits uid under pressure which may leak from the quick action y valve chamber |59 to the piston chamber |81 to `flow `to the atmosphere thereby preventingv a build' up of pressure in the piston chamber if the rate of leakage of iluid tothe piston chamber should be faster than that at which it could escape through the restricted port |99, thus inquick action chamber l 200 carried by the casing. Ex-

to unseat the vent valve.

The retaining valve device may be of the usual construction and is provided for the purpose of controlling the rate of reduction in the piston chamber of the relay valve device 'I in enecting a release of the brakes and in cycling the brakes to retain a predetermined pressure in said piston chamber during the time required for recharging the equipment when descending heavy grades under the control of the automatic brake apparatus. Since the details and operation of this device are well known further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

'Initial charging To charge the equipment the operator, through l the medium of a suitable brake valve mechanism, causes iluid under pressure to be supplied to the brake pipe I and alsocauses the straight air pipe 2 to be connected to the atmosphere.

Fluid under pressure supplied to the brake pipe flows through pipe and passage 28 and strainer device 25 to the equalizlng piston chamber 22 by way of the restricted passage 28, and to the emergency piston chamber by way of passage |08.

Fluid under pressure flows vfrom the equalizlng pistonv chamber 22 through a feed groove 208 to the equalizing slide valve chamber -8I and from thence ilows through passage 82-to valve chamber 88 of the relay release valve device, and also flows through a port 204 in the equalizingmain slidevalve 29 and passage 41 to the relay release piston'ch'amber A48. From this it will be seen that the huid pressures acting on opposite sides of the relay release piston I8 will be substantially equal to each other, and that by reason of this, the spring 5I, acting through the medium of the plunger 8|, maintains the piston and thereby the release relay `s .lide valve 00 in release position as shown in the drawing. With the slide valve 00 in this position the chamber |88 of the displacement volume device 9 is connected to the atmosphere byway of pipe 83, passage 8|, passage 80, a cavity 200 in the .slide valve 00. a restricted passage 208, a pipe 201 and the communication through the retaining valve device I0. The chamber 82 of the double checl: valve device is connected to the passage 8| so that it is also connected to the atmosphere. Ii the check valve member of double check valve device should lbe in its extreme left hand position instead of in the position in which it is shown in the drawing the valve |32 establishes communication between the chamber 82 and the passage 80 leading to the piston chamber of the relay valve device, so that this piston chamber would be connected to atmosphere. However, with the valve member in its extreme right hand position as shown, the valve |82 is seated and the valve |88 unseated, so that the relay piston chamber is connected to the straight air pipe which as before mentioned is connected to the atmosphere.

With the piston chamber of the relay valve device 1 connected to the atmosphere through either of the two circuits just traced, the device establishes communication from the brake cylinder 8 to the atmosphere in the usual manner.

The passage 60. is connected to the diaphragm chamber 59 of the relay interlock valve device I9 and since this passage is connected to the atmosphere in the manner just described, the chamber 59 will be at atmospheric pressure. 'I'he valve chamber 84 on the other side of the diaphragm is at atmospheric pressure due to its communicasuring against accidental movement of the piston tion .with lthevatmosphere through passage Il.

Since both of these chambers are at atmospheric pressure, the spring 18, acting through the medium of the follower stem 81, maintains the valve 88, follower 88 and flexible diaphragm 81 in their extreme position toward the left hand as shown in the drawing.

With the check valve member of the device in the position shown the diaphragm chamber 82 of the combined cut-oi! and quick service limiting valve device is connected to the straight air pipe 2 which is in communication with the atmosphere so that the chamber will be at atmospheric pressure. As a result the spring 88 actsto maintain the follower 81, diaphragm 8|, and bell crank lever in the position to maintain the valve 81 unseated as shown.

From the valve chamber 88 of the relay release valve device I8 fluid under pressure ilows through passage 8l and passage and pipe 85 to the auxiliary reservoir l. Fuid under pressure may`a1so ow from the valve chamber 88 to the supply reservoir 8 by way lof a port 208 in the relay release slide valve 00, a passage 200, past a ball check valve 2|0, a disk check valve 2|| which is arranged in series with the ball check valve and which is subjected to the seating pressure of a light coil spring 2I2, passage Ill, choke plug ||4 and pipes IIB and |I8.

If, while charging the equipment, the brake pipe pressure should be increased at Ysuch a rate as to create a five pound pressure diiferential on the checkvalve |08 which may bethe case at the head end of a train where the rise in brake pipe pressure is rapid, uid under pressure will flow from the equalizing piston chamber 22 and consequently from the brake pipe to the supply reservoir 6 by way of passage |0I, passage 88, chamber |00, past the unseated valve 81 of the combined cut-olf and quick service limiting valve devicev20, passage |02, past the ball check valves |01 and |08, passage III, check valve spring chamber |l2, passage |I3 and pipes IIB and |I8.

When the iiow of iluid is from the brake pipe as .lust described, the check valves 2I0 and 2|| will remain seated and thereby prevent ilow of fluid from the chamber I2 to the passage 208 and consequently to the auxiliary reservoir. When the pressure oi' fluid in the brake pipe reduces, due to the usual equalization toward the rear end of the train, so that it no longer -predominates over the pressure of uid in chamber I|0 and the spring |08 by five pounds the check valve |08 will be caused to seat and thus cut oil the further iiow of uid from the brake pipe to the supply reservoir. If when the check valve is closed the pressure of uid in the chamber. I I2 isbelow auxiliary reservoir pressure iiuid under pressure from the I auxiliary reservoir will unseat the check valves 2|0 and 2| I and flow to the supply reservoir thus fully charging the supply reservoir to substantially the same pressure as the auxiliary reservoir. From this it will be seen that the supply reservoirs, particularly at the head end of the train, will be substantially fully charged at a fairly rapid rate from the brake pipe, thus accelerating-the rate of the initial charging of the equipment. On a very long train such as employed in freight service the rise in brake pipe pressure at the rear end of the train may be at such a slow rate that the supply reservoir will be charged by way of the auxiliary reservoir instead of by way of passage |02.

Fluid under pressure flows from the equalizarcano? ing piston chamber 22 to the emergency reservoir 5 by way of a restricted passage 2|3, a ball check valve 2|4, a disk check valve 2|5 whichis arranged in series with the ball check valve'and which i's subject to the pressure oi ya light coil spring 2|8, a choke plug 2|1, a passage 2|8 and passage and pipe 80. If for anyreason the aux- 220, past a ball check valve 22|, a passage 222, passage 18, passage 19 andpassage and pipe 80 to the emergency reservoir. From this it Will be understood that the auxiliary reservoir pressure is adapted to equalize into the emergency reservoir and that in the event of the communication from the equalizing piston chamber to the emergency reservoir becoming clogged, the emergency reservoir will be charged by way of the auxiliary reservoir.

Fluid under pressure supplied to the passage 80 ows therefrom by way of passage 19 and the.

the medium of the strut 15 to load the interlock slide valve 68.

It should here bementioned that passages 2|9, 35 and passage 19 lead to the Yface side of the interlock slide valve 68 and that iiuid under pressure from these passages exerts an upwardly directed force on the slide valve which, due to the valve chamber 64 beingat atmospheric pressure,

has a tendency'to raise the slide valve from itsseat. The load imposed upon the slide valve by the pressure ofuid in chamber 11 acting through the medium of the exible diaphragm 16 and strut 15 will maintain the slide valve in close contact with its seat against the opposing iiuid pressure in the above mentioned passages.

Fluid under pressure ows from the equalizing valve chamber 3| to the chamber |20 at one side of the diaphragm ||1 of the release insuring valve device 20 by way of passage |2| and at the same time iluid underpressure ows from the equalizing piston chamber 22 and consequently from the brake pipe to the chamber ||9"at vthe other side of the diaphragm by way of passage |0| With the equipment charged the pressure of fluid in these chambers will be substantially equal so that the spring |24 maintains the valve |22 seated, thus cling communication from the l diaphragm chamber |20 to the exhaust passage F'luid under pressure from the brake pipe also iiows to the valve chamber |90 of the quick action vent valve device |52 by way of the strainer device 25 and passage |92.

With the quick action piston chamber |81 connected to atmosphere by way ofthe restricted port |99 in the quick actionpiston and the leakage groove 20| the spring |93 acts to maintain the vent valve |90 seated so that there can be no flow of brake pipe fluid to the atmosphere by way of the vent valve chamber until'such time as an emergency application of the brakes is initiated.

Fluid under pressure flowing from the brake pipe through'the strainer device flows through passage |54V to the emergency piston chamber |53 and fromthence flows through a restricted passage 223 and the passage |30 to both the quick action chamber |6| and emergency valve chamber |59. Fluidunder pressure is free to ilow from the emergency slide valve chamber |59 through laction chamber.

passage |90, past the check valves |1|`and |12 and-through passages |13, |14 and,80 to the emergency reservoir if for any reason the quickto the chamber |8| at one side of the valve pis-vv ton |19 of the high pressure valve device |50 and` to the passage |14. With the several parts `of the I emergency valve device in theirnormai release positionnuid under pressure flows from passage |14 to the chamber |88 at the other side of the valve piston by wayof a cavity 224 in the emergency main slide valve |51 and passage |49. With the chamber |88 thus charged the spring |82 acts to maintain the valve |80 4seated on the" seat rib |8| so as to prevent the ow of uid from chamber |83 and consequently the emergency reservoir-by way of 'passage |85 which is connected to the atmosphere by way of a branch passage 225, passage 60, cavity 205 in the relay release slide valve 50, passage 206, pipe 201 and retaining valve device I0.

From the foregoing description it .will be understood that the-equipment is fully charged with iluid under pressure and that the several parts thereof are in their release position. As shown in the drawing the check valve member of the double check valve device is in the position to condition the `equipment for straight air control.

For the purpose of this description the equipment will be considered fully charged when it carries one hundred fifteen pounds but it will be understoodV that it may be fully charged at a higher or a lower pressure depending upon the braking requirements of diilerent railroadsr or of different classes ofy train service.

AutOmatz'c service application of the brakes y An automatic service application of the brakes isA initiated by eecting a gradual reduction in brake pipe pressure by the use of any of the piston stem 28, shifts the auxiliary slide valve 30 relative to the main slide valve 29. The piston as it is thus being moved cuts oil communication from the equalizing piston chamber 22 to the passage 2|3 and also closes the feed groove 203 so as to prevent back flow of iluid under pressure from the valve chamber 3| to the piston chamber.v As the' feed 'groove 203 and passage 2|3 are thus being closed a cavity 223 in the auxiliary slide valve is moved yinto connecting relationship with the port 204 in the main slide valve and a port 221 also in the main slide valve. The port 204, with the several parts'of the equalizing valve device in release position, is in direct communication with the equalizing slide valve;

rect communication is cut-od and this port and mi l cavity 226, port 221, a passage^229, a cavity 229` in the slide valve v63 of the relay release interlock, valve device, and passages 36 and 34.

After the ieed groove 203 is closed. the continued movement o! the equalizing piston 21 causes the rear end of the auxiliary slide valve 30 to uncover a service port 230 in the main slide valve to the slide valve chamber 3|, following which, the plunger 44, mounted in the rear` end of the piston stem 26 engages the rear surface 42 oi the main slide valve. The further outward movement of the auxiliary slide valve by the piston 21 and relative to the main slide valve is now resisted by the spring' 4,6 acting through the medium of the piston stem 26. Now when the predetermined light reduction in brake pipe pressure has lbeen effected, say for instance yabout one pound, a suilicient iluid pressure differential is created on the piston 21 to cause the piston to move outwardly against the resistance oil'ered by the spring 45, the piston as it thus moves shifting the auxiliary slide valve to initial quick service position. The piston 21 is Very sensitive to pressure differentials and, therefore, quickly responds to a light but predetermined reduction in brake pipe pressure to connect the release relay valve chamber 33 to the release relay piston chamber 46, to close theieed groove 203 and emergency reservoir charging passage 2|3 and to move the auxiliary slide valve30 relative to the main slide valve to open the service port 226 and to then move the auxiliary slide valve to its quick service position.

In the initial quick service position of the auxiliary slide valve 30, the cavity 226 maintains the ports 204 and 221 in the main siidevalve connected, so that the piston chamber 46 of the relay release valve device is maintained charged with fluid at auxiliary reservoir pressure and as a result the spring- 54 still acts to maintain the relay release valve device in its normal release position. Further, with the auxiliary slide valve in quick service position, a cavity 23| in the valve connects a port .232 in the main slide valve to a port 233 also in the main slide valve. At the `'seat of the main slide valve, the port 232 is con-v nected to the passage |06 to which the brake pipe is normally open by way ci restricted passage |0|, passage 99, quick service limiting valve chamber |00, passage |02, and past the check valves |03 and |04, and the port 233 is in registration with a passage 234 leading to a quick service bulb 235 which is constantly open to the atmosphere through a restricted passage 236.

With the ports 232 and 233 thus connected together, iluid under pressure is permitted to flow from the brake pipe to the quick service bulb 236 and from thence is permitted to flow to the atmosphere by way of the restricted passage 236.

The initial local quick service iiow o! uid from the brake pipe to the quick service bulb 235 is at a fast rate until the brake pipe pressure equalizes into the bulb and then continues at a slower rate as governed by the ilow area of the restricted passage 236. The initial ilow of fluid to the bulb produces a sudden but limitedquick service reduction in pressure in the brake pipe for initially hastening the operation of the equalizing valve device on the next car in a train. The

equalizing valve device on said next car thenV operates in a similar manner, and' in this way, quick serial response to the brake pipe reduction alsace? is transmitted from. one car to the next throughout the length of the train. The continued revlocal equalizing vaiveparts to service position.

When the piston 21 and graduating valve 30 move to the initial quick service position, the

lug 4| on the piston stem 26 engages the rearsuriace 42 of the main slide valve 29, so that upon the continued movement oi the piston toward service position, the main' slide valve will' be shifted in the same direction.

As the main valve continues to move it laps the passage |06, closing of! the further quick service flow of fluid irom-the brake pipe to the atmosphere by way of the bulb 236. At substantially the same time as the passage |06 is lapped, 'the service port 236, which has been previously uncovered by the auxiliary slide valve 30, is. cracked open to a passage 231, which leads to the passage 60, so that fluid under pressure now starts to iiow from the equalizing piston chamber 3| and connected auxiliary reservoir to the chamber |36 oi the displacement volume device 9 by way of the service port 230, passage 231, passage 60, passage 6| and pipe 63. Fluid under pressure thus supplied to the passage 6| ows therefrom to the check valve chamber 62 of the double check valve device and causes the check valve member to move in a direction .toward the left handnfrom the position in which it is shown to a position in which the check valve |33 seals againstthe gasket |3| and the valve |32 is out through passage and pipe 34 to the piston cham-v ber of the relay valve device 1 and causes the relay valve device to operate to close the .exhaust communication from the brake cylinder to the atmosphere and to open the supply communication to'permit iluid under pressure to iiow from the supply reservoir 6 to the brake cylinder 6.

At substantially the same time as the service port is cracked open to thepassage 231 or slightly in advance of this, a cavity 238' in the main' slide valve 29 connects the passage 41 to an atmospheric passage 239 and since the passage 41 is in communication with the piston chamber 46 of the relay release valve device, iluid under pressure now flows from said chamber to the atmospliere. f

With the chamber 46 thus vented, f|uid under pressure in the valve chamber 33 causes the piston 48 to promptly move to its extreme right hand 'position against the opposing pressure of spring 54. The piston acting through the piston stem 49 shifts the relay release slide valve 50 `of engagement with the gasket |30. This moveto its extreme right hand position in which the slide valve laps the passage 60 and therefore cuts'ofi communication from this passage to the atmospheric passage 206 leading to the retainer valve device |05.

At substantially the same time as the slide valve laps the passage 60 it also .laps the passage 209 leading to the supply reservoirand the pashand position, the cavity 205 therein connects the 76 vthat fluid under pressure which may leak from the supply reservoir past the check valves 2|| and 2|0 will flow to the atmosphere, thus preventing a build up of fluid pressure on the face of the slide valve, thereby insuring against the slide valve being blown from. its seat by the leakage fluid.

Immediately following the cracking open of the service port 230 to the passage 231. a cavity 240 in the main slide valve 29connects the brake pipe passage |06 to the restricted passage |85, so that fluid under pressure now ilovvs at a slow rate from the brake pipe to the chamber |38 of the displacement volume device 9 and piston .chamber of the relay valve device 1 by way of `passage |06, cavity 240, passage 4|85 having a.

restriction 24|, passage 225. passage 60 and the communication therefrom to both the relay piston chamber and displacement volume device 9.

The piston 21 ofthe equalizing valve device and slide valves 29 and 30 continue to move to service position in which the piston seals against the gasket I5. With the main slide valve 29 in l lease interlock valve deviceand when the presservice position, the service port 230 is fully open to the passage 231 leading tothe relay valve device 1 and displacement volume device 9, so that the relay valve device will be caused to operate to provide the desired service rate of -iiow of iiuid fromthe supply reservoir 6 to the brake cylinder 8. l

Fluid under pressure ows from the passage 60 to the diaphragm chamber 59 of the relay resure in this chamber has been increased to around ten pounds, the diaphragm is caused to flexed in a direction toward the right hand and, as it is thus flexed, shifts the follower 66 and follower stem .in the same direction against the opposing pressure of the spring13' acting through the medium of the plunger 1|, the stem shifting the slide valve 68 to its extreme right hand position. With the slide valve 68 in this position a cavity 242 in the valve connects the passage 228 l to a passage 243 leading to the atmosphere and a cavity 244 in the valve connects the emergency reservoir passage 19 to the passage 2|9. Since the passage 2| 9 is lapped Vby the' relay release slide valve 50 there can be no ow of fluid from the fully charged emergency reservoir to the auxiliary reservoir. The valve chamber 64 is constantly connected to the atmosphere by way of passage 65 and this passage is restricted so as to prevent any serious loss of fluid pressure from the piston chamber ofthe relay valve device 1 in the event' of the rupture of the flexible diaphragm 51 'to rock in a clockwise direction about the pin 92,

the lever acting through the medium of the plunger 94 and spring 96 toy seat the valve 91 on the seat rib 98. After'the valve is seated` on the.valve'91, thus insuring against damage of the valve.

With the valve 91 seated, :communication .be-

tween the valve chamber and passage |02 is closed so that the quick service iiow of fluid from the brake pipe to the piston chamber ofthe relay valve device 1 and chamber |38 of the displacementfvolume device 9 is cut olf. Since the passage |02 also leads to the supply reservoir the valve 91 when seated cuts oir communication from the brake pipe to the reservoir.

Fluid under pressure being supplied by the equalizing valve device to the piston chambery of the relay valve device 1 and to chamber |38 of the displacement volume device 9 by way of the service port 230 and passages 281 and 60 ows from passage 60 through passage 225, passage |85, a passage 245, a cavity 246 in the emergency main slide valve |51 and apassage 241 to the safety valve device When the pressure oi fluid in the relay piston chamber andv in the chamber |38 of the displacement volume device` sure of iluid in the brake cylinder to sixty pounds. It will be' understood that the safety valve device may be adjusted to limit the pressure obtainable to more or less .than sixty pounds.

Upon the service rate of reduction in-the pressure of fluid in .the emergency piston chamber |53, fluid at quick action chamber pressure'in valve chamber |59 causes the emergency piston s 1 |55 and thereby the auxiliary slide valve |58 to move in the direction toward the righthand, relative-to the main slide valve |51. As the plston is thus moving it closes the restricted passage 223 leading from the piston chamber to the quick action chamber and valve chamber charging passage |60. At substantially the same time as the piston closes the passage 223, a port 248 in the auxiliary slide valve |58 is opened to a port 249 in the main slide`valve |51, which latter port is connected to a passage 250 leading to the atmosphere. Fluid under pressure now iiows by Way of this communication from the emergency slide valve chamber |59 and connected quick action chamber |6| to the atmosphere at a rate substantially equal to the service rate of reduction in the pressure of fluid in the emergency piston chamber, so that the operating fluid pressure differential on the piston |55 is substantially destroyed. I n the service position of the emergency piston, the plunger |68 carried by the piston stem |56, is adapted to just engage the rear end surface |61 of the main slide valve |51, so that unintentional further movement of the -piston and auxiliary slide valve toward the right hand is prevented by the action of the spring |69.

If it is desired to effect a full service application of the brakes the operator will permit a full service reduction in brake pipe pressure to be effected after which he will, by the use of the brake valve mechanism, cause the venting of iiuid under pressure from the brake pipe tov be cut olf. Now when the pressure of fluid in the valve chamber reduces by ow of fluid therefrom to the atmosphere by way of the service port 230 and safety valve device |5I to substantially the pressure of fluid in the brake pipe, the spring 45 of the stabilizing mechanism carried by the equalizingpiston stem .cooperates with the main lof` slide'valve to move piston- 21 out of seallngenaagement with the'gssket'll. After the pistou seal is thus broken, the spring acts to continue the movement of the piston and auxviliary slldevalve 3l toward service lap position,

but justbefore the service port 230 is fully lapped z -by the slidevalve, the end of the plung'- 'ef man. the" stem w that the prins 4l willno longeracttomove the piston andauxiliary slitte valve toward lap. position.

.` slight iiuid pressure diiierentiai on the piston,

.which willbe caused by the pressure of uuid inv the .valve chamber 3| reducing slightly below the 7 Apipe pressure in piston chamber 22, moves said piston ,and thereby' the auxiliary slide valve to lap position in which the valve fully laps the 'service port 230 and thus cuts ci! the further flow ofiiuid under pressure from the chamber- 3| `and connected auxiliary reservoir.

-When the further venting of fluid under pressure from the brake pipe is cut oil?, the quickaction chamber -pressure in the emergency slide valve chamber |19 continues tof reduce through the registering ports 248 and 248 in the auxiliary and main slide valves, respectively, until the pressure of iiuidin said'chamber is slightly below brake pipe pressure in piston chamber |53, at which time thepressure dierential created on `the emergency piston |55 causes the piston and thereby the auxiliary slide valve 30 to return to i'ull -release position, in which position the ports 248 and '249 in the emergency slide valves are voir and auxiliary reservoir to the passage |02 y Vthereby preventing loss of fluid pressure from these reservoirs as well as interference with the Limited automatic service applicati-ori Y of the brakes If, instead of eiectin-g a full service application of the brakes as just described, it is desired to effect a limited application, the brake pipe pressure is only reduced an amount sufcient to eiect the desired service application. When such a reduction has been effected the several parts of the equipment will function to supply uid under pressure to the brake cylinder, following which the equalizing valve device and emergency valve device will move to service lap position in the same manner as has been described in connection with a full service application of the brakes. If, after a limited application of the brakes-has been effected, it is desired to increase the brake cylinder pressure, a further reduction in brake pipe pressure is effected through the medium of the brake valve mechanism, which vcauses the equalizing piston 21'to move from service lap position toward service position shifting the auxiliary slide valve 30 to uncover the service port .230, so that uid under pressure again flows from the auxiliary reservoirl to the piston chamber s-a un bnn ausser 's'.'v 'te sans this the movement of the piston and slide valve from service -lap position tothe position for opening the service port isunopposed by the spring 4l.

vIBy reason of this the equalizing piston and auxiliary slide valve wlllpromptly move. to reapplicationposition 90u brake pipe pressure. v

The emergency v alvev device will `'respond to this reduction in brake pipe pressure to vent iluid under pressure from the emergency slide valve chamber and connected quick action chamber in the same manner as described in `connection withthe'full service'application of the brakes.-

Automatic release of a service application of the brakes To elIect a .release of -the brakes following a service application thereof, fluid under pressure is supplied to the brake pipeand flows therefrom to the equalizing piston chamber 22 and emergency piston chamber |53 in the same manner as has before been described in connection withl the initial charging of the equipment.

' At the head end of the train where the brake pipe pressure increases more rapidly than at the rear end of the train there is created on the equalizing valvel piston 21 a pressure differential which causes the piston and lthereby the slide valves 29 and 30 to promptly move to their outer or normal release position, as shown, in which position the collar 4| on thepiston stem 28 engages the movable stop 38. In this release position the feed groove 203 around the piston 21 is' open, soV that fluid under pressure is permitted to ilow from the piston chamber 22 to the slide valve chamber 3|, but the ow capacity of this feed groove is not great enough to permit fluid toilow therethrough at as fast a rate as fluid is supplied to the piston chamber on cars at the head end of'the train. As a result, a sulcient -a very reduction in pressure diierential is created on said piston to cause it and the slide valves 29 and 30 to move to an inner release position against the opposing pressure vof the spring 39 acting through the medium of the stop 38 and piston stem 28.

In eitherthe outer or inner release position of the equalizing valve device, thef'port 204 in the main slide valve 29 is in open communication with the passage 41 connected tothe piston chamber 46 of the relay release valvedevice, and since,

- in either of the release positions, the port 204 is not closed off by the auxiliary slide valve 30, fluid under pressure .flows from the valve chamber 3| to the relay release piston chamber 46. The pressure of uid in piston chamber 46 quickly equalizes with that in valve chamber 33, so that the spring 54 now acts to move the piston 48 and slide valve 5|!v to their normal release position as shown. The valve 'as it is being moved to this -position opens the passage 2 9, so that fluid under pressure is `also supplied to the equalizirig slide f and relay release slide valve chamber 33. Due to v the restricting of the flow of Iluid from the brake pipe to the auxiliary reservoir and to the supplying of uid from the emergency reservoir to the auxiliary reservoir the amount of fluid taken from the brake pipe will not be great, so that more fluid will flow toward the rear end of the train than would otherwise be the case, thus pipe en cars at'the rear end of the train.

With the yrelayrelease slide valve 50 in release position the port 208 therein registers with passage 209 so that fluid under pressure ilows from the slide valve chamber 33, which is connected to the auxiliary reservoir, to the supply reservoir 8 by way of port 208, passage 209, past check valves 2|0 and 2| spring chamber I2, passage I3 and connected pipes ||5and H6. l

Further with the slide valve 50 in release posi'- tion, the cavity 205 in the valve connects the passage 80 to the passage 280, and since the piston chamber oi' the relay valve device 1, chamber |38 of the'displacement volume device 9, diaphragm chamber 82 of the combined cut-oi! and quick service limiting valve device. and diaphragm chamber 59 of the relay release interlock valve device are connected to the passage 80 and this passage 80 is open to the atmosphere by way of the retaining valve device l0, iluid under pressure is vented from these chambers to the atmosphere.

When the pressure of uid inthe diaphragm l chamber 82 has reduced to slightly below tourteen pounds, the compressed spring 88 acts to 'shift the follower stem 89 and thereby the follower 81 and diaphragm 8| to normal release position as shown, the stem in its traverse actuating the bell-crank lever 9| to move the valve 91 out oi seating engagement with the seat rib 98. With the valve unseated fluid under pressure flows-from'the brake pipepassage 99 through chamber |00 and past thevalve 91 to the passage |02 and if the brake pipe pressure is ve pounds higher than auxiliary reservoir pressure, iluid under pressure ows from the passage |02 past the check valves |01 and |08 to the chamber ||0 and from thence flows through passage' chamber ||2, passage H3, choke plug 1||4 and pipes ||5 and ||6 to thesupply reservoir 6, thus accelerating the rate of recharge of the supply reservoirs.

When the pressure of iluid in vthe diaphragm chamber 59 of the relay release interlock valve device has been reduced to slightly below ten pounds, the compressed springv 13, acting through the medium of the stop 1| moves the follower stem 61 and thereby the follower 66, diaphragm 51 vand slide valve B8 to normal release position as shown, the slide valve in its traverse cutting off communication between the passages 19 and 2|9 and thereby between lthe emergency and auxiliary reservoirs, and also cutting off communication between the atmospheric passage 243 and the passage 228 and further, establishing communication, by way of the cavity 229,Y between the passage 228 and the auxiliary reservoir passage 35.

When, due to the flow of iluid from the emergency reservoir to the auxiliary reservoir, the

emergency reservoir pressure is reduced to that of brake pipe, fluid under pressure iiows from the equalizing piston chamber to the reservoir by way of passagel 2|3, past the check .valves 2|4 l 12,152,257' hastening the charging oi' the brake phragmchamber |20 atl the other side by a pre-v determined amount as xed by the value of the spring |24, say about one and one half pounds,

said diaphragm .will flex in a direction toward the right hand, actuating the follower |26 to unseat the valve |22. The piston 21 and slide valves 28 and 30 of the equalizing valve device' are in'- tended to move. from application position to release position when the brake pipe pressure in piston chamber .22 exceeds auxiliary reservoir pressure invalve chamber 3| by about one and one-quarter pounds, so that the main slide valve 29 will, under normal conditions, lap the passage l|23 before therelease insuring valve |22 is unseated and prevent the release of fluid under presdiaphragm ||1 ofrelease insuring` valvedevicei exceeds auxiliary reservoir pressure in the dia-l sure-from the auxiliary reservoir when the valve is unseated. It, however, a greater pressure dif- Ierential is required to move the equalizing piston to release position than is required to unseat the cavity 238 and passage 239.

On cars toward the rear end of a long train where the rate of increase in brake pipe pressure will be slow, the equalizing valve parts have a tendency to be delayed in their movement from application position towardrelease position, and in some cases,V may have a tendency to remain in application position. However these objectionable tendencies will be eliminated, for where the rise in brakepipe pressure aboveauxiliary reservoir pressure exceeds the desired amount, iluid under pressure will, asv just described, be vented from the auxiliary reservoir to the atmosphere with the valve |22 unseated vuntil a sulcient pressure differential is created on the equalizing piston 21 to cause it to move the main slide valve 29 towardl release position so as to cut ofi any further venting of iluid from the auxiliary reservoir. .Whenthe main slide valve is moved to release position a port 253 in the main slide valve cuts the passage |23 into communication with the `valve chamber 3| so the pressure of uid on the seating side of the valve 22 will be equal to the pressure of uid'on the opposite side., By reason of such equalization'the valve will not be urged to its seat by iluid under pressure but rather by the pres'sureof the spring |24 only, thus preventing overloading and consequent damage or excessivewear of the valve. The advantages of this release insuring valve device will be readily appreciated if it bekept in mind that the release of the brakes, especially at the rear end of long trains, has been one of the greatest dimculties in railroad operation up to the present time.

Graduated release of the brakes by means of the automatic brake equipment v When it is desired to Agraduate the release of I the brakes, i. e., release the brakes in steps or increments, lthe brake pipe pressure is increased in steps through the operation of the brake valve mechanism; i

Assuming vthe several parts of the equipment to be in service position as hereinbefore described land it is desired to eilect the graduated release of in release position, fluid under pressure is vented the brakes, the brake valve mechanism is moved to increase brake pipe pressure the desired amount to cause the parts to move to release position and is then caused to move to lap position in which the flow oi iiuid to the brake pipe is cut oir. With the parts oi'- the equalizing valve device from the piston chamber of the relay valve device 1 and chamber |38 of the displacement volume device 3' in the same manner as described in connection with the full or complete release of 'the brakes. Thiscauses the -relay valve device 1 to operatetoinitiate a' reduction in brake cylinder pressure.

With the brake valve mechanism inlap position, it is obvious that there will be no further increase in brake pipe pressure, and as a result, the pressure of iluid in the equalizing valve chamber 3| will be increased by the ilow of fluidV from the fully charged emergency reservoir by -way of pipe and passage 80, passage 19, choke plug 252, cavity 244 in the relay release interlock slide. valve 68, passage 2|9, valve chamber 33 of the relay release valve device, and passage 32. When the pressure of fluid in chamber 3| slightly exceeds brake pipe pressure in piston chamber 22;,

fluid under pressure in said chamber 3| causes the piston 21 and thereby the auxiliary slide valve 30 to move toward the left relative to the main slide valve 29. The piston and slide valve move but a very short distance when the piston closes the feed groove 203 and the cavity 226 in the slide valve connects the ports 204 and 221 in the main slide valve. Now, since the port 221 is in communication with passage 228 which is connected to the atmosphere by Way of the cavity 242 in the slide valve 68 of the relay release interlock valve device and passage 243 and since the port 204 is connected to the passage 41 lead- .ing from the piston chamber v46 of the relay rethe relay valve device 1 and chamber |38 of the displacement volume device 9. The relay valve device now operates to cutoff the exhaust flow of fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder.

Since the flow of uid from the emergency reservoir to the equalizing piston chamber 3| is cut off by the relay release slide valve 50 there can be no further increase in the pressure of fluid in this chamber and since `there is no further increase in brake pipe pressure the equalizing piston and auxiliary slide valve come to a stop before the cavity 23| in the valve'can connect the quick service port 232 in the main slide valve to the quick service port 233 also in the main slide valve.

When it. is desired to make another step reduction in brake cylinder` pressure, the brake valve mechanism is operated to supply uid under pressure to the brake pipe to produce the desired reduction in brake cylinder pressure and is then operated to cut off the supply of fluid under pressure to the brake pipe. The-increase in brake pipe pressure causes the equalizingpiston 21 and ten pounds. phragm chamber 59 has been reduced to this low auxzuarysudevslve um be te position in which the port 204 is again opened to the valve chamber 3| and consequently to the auxiliary reservoir permitting fluid under pressure to flow from the valve chamber to the piston l chamber 4l o1' the relay release valve device. a The pressure in this chamber quickly equalizes with vthat ln valw chamber 33 l0 that the Sprl!!! 34 acting through the medium of the plunger Il moves lthe piston 43 and thereby the slide valve to vent fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder. With. the brake valve ymechanisms in position to out oi! the supply of iluid under pressure to the brake pipe, the equalizing valve device and relay release valve device operate to cut on the iiow of fluid from the emergency reservoirto4 the auxiliary reservoir and to' cut of! the ilow of fluid from the piston chamber of the relay valve device 1 and chamber .|38 of the displacement volume device 0, so-that the relay valve device will be caused to operate to cut off the flow of fluid from the-brake cylinder.

It will be understood that through the operation of the brake valve mechanism'the equalizing valve device I1, relay release valve device I8, and relay valve device 1 may be caused to operate to reduce brake vcylinder* pressure in as many successive stepsor increments as desired, until such time as the' pressure of fluid in the piston chamber of the relay valve device 1 and connected diaphragm chamber 59 of the relay release interlock valve device has been reduced to slightly below When the pressure of uid in diadegree the spring 13 of the relay release interlock valve device, acting through the medium of the plunger 1| and follower stem 61, shifts the slide 68 to its extreme left hand position in which the communication between the emergency reservoir passage 19 and passage 2| 9 is out off, so that fluid under pressure can no longer flow from the emergency reservoir to the auxiliary reservoir. As a result, the vseveral parts ofl the equalizing valve device remain in this position and cause the complete release of the brakes to be effected.

It has hereinbefore been stated that when in graduating the release of the brakes the relay requick service ports 232 and 233 together. Hovv-4 ever, under certain conditions of service, as will now be described it is possible for the piston and slide valve to unintentionally move to this position.

It is well known that with the brake valve mechanism in charging position, the brake pipe pressure on cars at the head end of the train will be increased at a faster rate than on the cars at the rear end of the train and that this high head of pressure at the head end of the train will reduce as fluid flows therefrom toward the rear end, the degree of reduction depending upon the length of the train.

On a train of such a length that this reduction in brake pipe pressure on the cars at the head end of the train may be so great that the pressure of iiuid in the equalizing piston chamber will be insufficient to cause the equalizing piston 2`| and 2,152,257 auxiliary slide valve 30 to come to a stop in the position intended, but may permit them to continue to move. to initial quick service position against the opposing pressure'of the stabilizing spring 45 in which quick service position the cavbetween the brake pipe and one of the quick service ports in the main slide valve for controlling the Aquick service flow of fluid from the brake pipe, fluid under pressure is vented' from the brake pipe to the quick service chamber 235. Due to this venting the equalizing piston cannot now operate to move the auxiliary slide valve-30 rearwardly out of initial quick service position, so that brake pipe pressure continues to reduce by the iiow of iiuid to the atmosphere by way of the restricted passage 236, causing the equalizlng piston and slide valvesto move to application position, thus the brake cylinder pressure will be increased when a decrease is desired.

According to the invention this undesired action cannot occur for the reason that when an application of the brakes is being eiected, the combined cut-oli? and quick service limiting valve device 20 functions to close communication from the brake pipe to the seat for the equalizing main slide valve 29 and to maintain the communica- -tion closed until the brake cylinder pressure has been reduced to such a low degree that no further release graduations are either necessary-or deslrable.

From the foregoing description it will be'seen that since the valve device 20 prevents the quick service flow of fluid from the brake pipe when, in graduating the release of the brakes, the auxiliary slide valve 30 of the equalizing valve device is accidentally moved to initial quick service position, the unintentional movement of the several parts of the equalizing valve to application position is eiectively prevented.

Automatic emergency application of the brakes An emergency application of the brakes is effected when fluid under pressure is suddenly vented from the brake pipe and such a reduction may be effected by the operation of the brake valve mechanism to emergency position, by the operation of the usual conductors valve device, or by the .parting of the brake pipe hose which usually spans the space between adjacent cars.v l

Upon a sudden reduction in brake pipe pressure the equalizing valve device operates, in the same manner as in effecting an automatic service valve device operates upon an emergency reduction in brake pipe presure, fluid in the emergency valve chamber |59, acting on the inner face of' the emergency piston |55, causes the piston to move and flrst shift the auxiliary slide valve |58 relative to the main slide valve |51 and then shift both slide valvesin unison to emergency position, in which position the outer face of the piston engages the gasket I6.

As the piston is thus moved it closes communication from the piston chamber |53 to the passage 223 leading to the valve chamber |59 and quick action chamber |6| ,after which the-auxiliary slide valve |58 uncovers a port 254 in the main slide valve, which port, atthe seatv for the main slide valve, is in open communicationwithpassage |96, so that nuid under pressurenow flows through this communication from the emergency slide valve chamber and quick action chamber to the piston chamber |81 of the quick action vent valve device.

After the port 254 has been uncovered the collar |68 on the emergency piston stem |56 engages the rear end surface |61 of the main slide valve |51, so that the Piston as it continues to move, shifts .the main slide valve to emergency position.

Now as the main slide valve is moved toward emergency position, the end of the valve moves beyond the passage |96, so that uld under pressure flows directly from the valve chamber |59 to the passage. It will here be noted that as the passage 254 is being moved out of registration with the'passage |96, the end oi the main slide valve is uncovering the passage |96, so that there will be no interruption in the ow of uid to the quick action piston chamber |81. n

The pressure of fluid thus supplied to the piston chamber |81fcauses the quick action piston |88 to move toward the right hand to unseat the quick action Vent valve against the opposing pressure of the spring |93. With the valve unseated uid under pressure is suddenly vented from the brake pipe for the purpose of serially transmitting emergency action throughout the length of the train in the usual well known manner.C

With the main slide valve |51 in emergency position the passage |49 is connected through a cavity 255 in the valve to a passage 258 leading to the atmosphere so that iiuid under pressure is vented fromthe chamber |86 of the high pressure valve device. -Upon thus venting this chamber, iluid at emergency reservoir pressure in chamber |8| causes the high pressure valve piston |19 to move in a direction toward the left hand unseating valve |80. With the valve |80 Aunseated uid under pressure flows from the emergency reservoir to the piston chamber of the relay valve device 1 and chamber |38 of the displacement volume device.9 by way of pipe and passage 80, valve chamber |8|, past the unseated valve |80, passage |05, cavity 240 in the equalizing main slide'valve 29, passage 231, passage 60 and the communications from the passage 60 to the chambers.

` Further, the emergency main slide valve in emergency position laps the passage 241 leading .to the Safety valve device |5|, thus preventingl fluid under pressure being supplied to the relay piston chamber from escaping to the atmosphere by way of the safety valve device.' With the safety valve device thus .cut out of action the pressure of iiuid obtained in the relay piston chamber and consequently in the brake cylinder will be high'erthan could otherwise be obtained.

With the quick afction piston 88 in its inner position in sealing'engagement withV the gasket 200, iiuid under pressure from the piston chamber |81 and consequently from the emergency slide valve chamber |59 and 'connected quick action chamber |6| is vented to the atmosphere by way of the restricted port |99 and passages |98 and |95. a

Upon the substantially complete venting of the quick action chamber fluid, the pressure of the compressed spring |69, acting through the medium o1 the emergency piston stem |56 causes the emergency piston and thereby the auxiliary slide valve |58 to move relative to the main slide 75 valve` toward release position, but upon the en- "sagement of the end of the plunger |88 by the -stem |56, the spring |68 will no longer vact to retract the piston and auxiliary slide valve, and as a result of this, the movement of the piston and slide valve ceases before the piston engages the front end surface of the main slide valve.

As a consequence, the main slide valve |51 and thereby the high presure valve remains in emergency position. The equalizing valve device also remains in application position. -V Y Upon the substantially complete venting of the quick action fluid the spring |93 acts to seat the vent valve |90 thereby cutting oil the quick action vent from the brake pipe to the atmose phere.

Release of the brakes after an emergency applic@ tion l'To effect a release of thebrakes after an emering piston chamber 22 and to the emergency piston chamber |53. Fluid in the valve chamber 3| of the equalizing valve deviceis at reduced auxiliary reservoir pressure and fluid in the emergency valve chamber |59 is at atmospheric pressure, so that upon a slight increase in brake pipe pressure the emergency piston and slide valves will move to either an outer or an inner release position before the equallzing piston 21 is caused to move toward release position. y

With emergency main slide valve ineither release position the cavity224 therein connects the passage |14 to the passage |49 so that iluid at reduced emergency reservoir pressure is admitted to the spring chamber |86 of the high pressure valve device. Now since the fluid in chamber |83 is at the same pressure as that in chamber |8|,'the spring |82 acts to move the valve piston |19 to seat the valve |80 on the seatv rib |8|, thus cutting oi communication from the emergency reservoir tothe passage |85 which is in communication with the piston chamber of the relay valve device 'l and chamber |38 of thecars at the head end of the train, so that the emergency piston is moved upon a slight increase in brake pipe pressure, say fcigr instance seven pounds, to its inner or back dump position. 'I'he movement of the piston between its normal or outer release position to its inner or back dump position being opposed by thel spring |64 acting throughthe medium of the -movable stop |63 and the piston stem |56.

`With the several yparts of the emergency valve device in back dump position the cavity 246 in the main slide valve connects the passage 245 to a back dumpl passage 258 leading to the brake pipe by way of a ball check valve 259, a spring weighted check valve 260, a passage 26|, quick action vent valve chamber `|9| and brake pipe passage |92. Since the passage 245 is incommunication with the piston chamber of the relay valve device-1, chamber |38 of the displacement volume device 9 and auxiliary reservoir iiuid under pressure flows rapidlyfrom these chambers and auxiliary reservoir to the brake pipe thus accelerating the rate Vof recharge of thebrake pipe. This back dump action naturally occurs first at the head end of the train' function in the same manner, so that the back I dump action is rapidly transmitted serially from car to car throughout the lengthof the train. After the brake pipe pressure is suddenly increased by the supply of fluid as Just described.

the charging of the brake pipe is continued in the usual manner, i. e.. through the medium o! the brake valve mechanism. As the brake pipe pressure is thus increased the equalizing valve device functions to effect the release of the brakes in the same manner as described in connection with the release of the brakes following a service application of the brakes.

fWhen the pressure of uid in emergency piston chamber |53 and valvechamber |59 substantially equalize, the spring |64, acting through the medium of the stop |63, moves the main slide valve l |51 and thereby the associated parts of the device to their vouter or normal release position.

From the passage 84 fluid under pressure ows through passage 8 3 to the diaphragm chamber 82 of the combined cut-oil and quick service limiting valve device 20.' Whenv thepressure of fluid in this chamber has been increased to about fourteen pounds, the diaphragm 82 is caused to flex in a direction toward the right hand actuatingv the follower 81 and follower stem 89 and thereby the bell crank lever 9| and plunger 94 to seat the valve 91 on the seatrib. With the valve -thus seated, communication between the brake pipe passage 99-and the passage |02 is closed, so that there can be no ilow of fluid from the brake pipe to the supply reservoir, which reservoir due to the flow of fluid therefrom, is reducing in pressure. It will here be noted that as the pressure of iiuid in the relay piston chamber and diaphragx'n chamber 82 is increasing the valve 91 will remain unseated until such time as the pressure of fluid in chamber 82 has been increased to around fourteen pounds.

It should here be mentioned that in effecting the release of the brakes following either a heavy automatic service application o r an emergency application the brake pipe may be increased at such a fast rate that if the combined cut oi! and quick service limiting valve 91 were not maintained seated, the check valve |08 would be caused to move upwardly from its seat against the opposing pressure of the spring |09 and thereby permit fluid under pressure from the brake pipe to the supply reservoir. By preventing such flow more air is available for charging the rear end of the train thus assisting in accelerating the release of the brakes toward the rear end of the train.

Straight air application of the brakes When it is desmedroy effect a straight air appupipe 84 to the valvev chamber of the relay valve device 1, but if the valve member should be in its extreme left -hand position for conditioning the equipment for automatic control of the brakes, fluid under pressure flowing through passage |33 to the left hand side of the valve member causes the member to be quickly shifted to its extreme right hand position as shown in which the valve flow of fluid from the passage |34 to piston chamber.

' |32 closes communication from the passage 84 to the passage 6|. and the valve |33 permits the the relay Fluid under pressure thus supplied to the relay piston chamber causes the relay valve device to function to supply fluid under pressure from the supply reservoir 6 tothe brake cylinder 8 to effect an application of the brakes, the increase in brakecylinder pressure being commensurate with the increase in the relay piston chamber pressure.

As the pressure of the supplyreservoir is being release slide valve 50, passage 209, past the check valves 2| 0 and 2l I, chamber I 2, passage I I3, choke plug III and pipes |l5 and ||,6. At the same time as fluid under pressure is thus being supplied to the supply reservoir, fluid under pressure flows through the feed groove' 2 03 from the brake pipe to the equalizing valve chamber 3| and consequently to the auxiliary reservoir which is in open communication with the valve chamber. 'I'he ow of uid from the chamber 3| tends to reduce auxiliary reservoir below brake pipe pressure, so that brake pipe pressure in the equalizing piston chamber tends to maintain the equalizing piston in release position against accidental movement from such position.

The combined cut-oil and quick service limiting valve device does not operate to cut off the communication from the brake pipe to the underside chamber ||0 sufficiently to permit fluid at braker pipe pressure acting on the underside of the check valve |08 to unseat the valve, so that direct flow of fluid from the equalizing piston chamber 22 to the supply reservoir will noteoccur during A.the period of time that the pressure of fluid in the relay piston chamber and diaphragm chamber 82 of -the combined cut oil` and quick service limiting valve -device is building up to fourteen pounds.

This prevents a reduction in the piston Achamber e pressure which might otherwise occur and cause the equalizing valve parts to move to quick service position before the combined cut-ofi and quick service modifying valve device is caused to function to close communication from the piston chamber to the passage |02.A

'In practice it has been discovered that with combined automatic and straight airV brake equipment heretofore employed there isa tendency for the equalizing piston to unintentionally4 move to quick service position, due to unavoidable erratic operations of the usual feed valve device,

when a straight air application ofthe brakes is being eected. In these prior l equipments the equalizing auxiliary slide valve in its traverse to quick service position connected the piston chamber of. the relay release value device to atmosphere, thereby permitting the several parts '-mosphere by way of the retaining4 valve device.

At the time the stabilizing mechanism carried by the equalizing piston stem engages the rear surv facmof the equalizing main slide valve the piston closes the vusual feedgroove leading from the equalizing piston chamber to the equalizing slide valve chamber. With the feed groove and the .communication from the auxiliaryreservoir to the supply reservoir closed fluid at a pressure.

substantially equal to brake pipe pressure is trappoed in the equalizing slide valve chamber and auxiliary reservoir, so that when the auxiliary slide valve moves to quick service position the equalizing piston quickly responds to the resulting quick service reduction in brake pipe pressure to move the slide valves tofapplication position and this undesired application .of the brakes will propagate from car to car throughout the length of the train.

Even though the equalizing piston may be brought to a stop at the time the stabilizing mechanism engages the main slide valve a very undesirable conditionmay developto preventa 'ment with the main slide valve, the release relay slide valve is in application ,positionin which the release communication from'the chamber of the dummy brake cylinder or displacement volume v 4device to theatmosphere is cut-off, so that if there should be any leakage of fluid past the seated valve of -the double check valve device which selects between straight airv and automatic control, the pressure in the displacement volume device will be increased as long as fluid under pressure is being supplied to the relay valve device to effect a straight .air application of the brakes or until the pressure of iluid in the displacement volume device equalizes with the presrelay valve device and the 'straight air pipe is cut oi and communication between this piston chamber and the displacement volume device isrestablished. From this it will be seen that the brakes instead of being released as intended will bev maintained applied with a force dependent upon the pressure of fluid in the displacement volume device. 'I'he operator has no way 4munication between the piston chamberV of the of knowing that this undesirable condition exists when he again causes the train to be put in motion. 'Ihis condition'is serious in that when the train is thus put` in motion, a light mainduring the run, but theV more serious damage is done when the retained brake application is such sure flowing through this communication will re- I that the wheels are caused to slide on the track rails. which sliding action causes flat spots to be worn on 'the wheels. When wheels are thus damaged they must necessarily be replaced.` This isvof course very costly and therefore oblectionable.

-. From the following description it will be seen' l that in the equipment shown in the drawing the above mentioned been eliminated. l

Il?, when a straight air application of the brakes is being 'effected the equalizing piston and auxiliary slide valve 36 should move unintentionally toward quick service position, the cavity 226 in the valve connects the ports 264 and 221 together so that the piston chamber'l 46 of the relay re- Aobjectionable features have lease valve device is maintained charged with fluid at auxiliary` reservoir pressure by way of pipe and passage 35, cavity 229'in the relay release interlock valve device I3, passage 226, port 221 in the equalizing main slide valve 29, cavity 226 in the auxiliary slide valve 36. port 264 in the main slide valve and passage 41, the valve device I9 being maintained in its release position as shown by the action of the spring 13. With the pressure of chamber 46 maintained the relay release piston 46 and slide valve 56 will remain in their release position so that the communication between the auxiliary reservoir and supply reservoir is maintained open and fluid under presvalve |32 of the check valve device to the passage 6| when a straight air application of the brakes is being effected lflows through passage 66, cavity- 265 in the relay release'slide valve 56, passage 266, pipe 265 and retaining valve device I6 to the atmosphere, so that there can be no build up in pressure in the chamber |36 of the displacement volume device 9. From this it will be apparent that when iluid under pressure is vented from the straight air pipe to eect a release of the brakes' the valve member of the check valve device Il will remain in its straight air position and permit the complete release of the brakes.

Straight air release of the brakes When it is desired to release a straight air application of the brakes fluid under pressure is vented from the straight air pipe 2 and consequently from the' piston chamber of ,thevrelay valve device 1 which causes the relay valve device to function to release iluid under-pressure from the brake cylinder to the atmosphere.

Straight air and automatic emergency application of the brakes When the operator causes the brake valve mechanism to assume emergency position, iiuid under pressure is supplied to the straight air pipe 2 and consequently to the chamber. at the left hand end of the valve member of the check valve device II, and iluid under pressure is vented at a sudden rate from thev brake pipe I. This reduction in brake pipe pressure causes the several parts of the brake controlling valve device 3 to almaar' A -operate in the same manner as has been described in connection with the automatic emer- Release of the brakes following a straight air and 'automatic emergency application To release the brakes the brake valve mechanism is caused to operate to vent fluid under pressure from the straight air pipe 2 and to supply fluid under pressure to the brake pipe I. Fluid under pressure thus .supplied to the brake pipe causes the several parts of the brake controlling valve device 3 to move to their release position in the same manner as has been described in connection with the release of the brakes following an automatic emergency application. With the several parts oitthe brake controlling valve device in releaseI position iluid under pressure may be released from the piston chamber of the relay valveQ device 1 by way of the relay release valve device I8 and retaining valve device I6 or may be .released by way of the straight air pipe 2, depending upon the position which the valve member of the check valve device I I may assume.

General considera-tions Throughout the foregoing description the term brake valve mechanism has been used to mean any suitable control mechanism which may be set in operation by the operator of a train and may comprise the usual engineers automatic brake valve device for controlling the automatic portion of the equipment and a straight air brake valve having an emergency position in which a combined automatic and straight air emergency application of the brakes is caused to be eifected. In some instances a single'brake valve device may be employed which may be readily adjusted for either automatic or straight air control.. The

operators control mechanism has not been illustrated for the reason that it is deemed unnecessary since all that concerns the present application with reference to the operators control is the supply of fluid under pressure to and the release of uid under pressure from the straight air pipe and the brake pipe..

It is to be understood vthat the brake equipment as shown may be employed without change in a train equipped for automatic control only but if the equipment is to be used in such a train for a long period of time the check valve I I may be omitted` and a blanking plate 366 used instead as shown in Fig. 2. This plate is secured to the pipe bracket I2 and at the left hand face of the pipe'bracket blanks the straight air passage |34 and by means of a passage 36| therein establishes communication between the passage 6I of the automatic portion of the equipment and the application and release passage 84.

While one illustrative embodiment of our invention has been described in detail, it is not our intention to limit its scope to this embodiment or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

-its

Having now described our invention, what weA claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

-1. In `1auvehicle brake equipment, in combina- I tion, a communication through which :duid under pressure is supplied to eilect an application of the den reduction in brake pipe pressure for also supplying fluid under pressure to said communication, means operative to limit the pressure of iluid supplied by thevbrake controlling valve device in response to the gradual reduction in brake pipe ,V

pressure,`valve mechanism responsive to the suddenreduction in brake pipe pressure for cutting said `means out of. operation,- and valvemeans responsive to the pressure of fluid supplied through the straight air pipe for also cutting said means out of operation.

-2. In a vehicle brake equipment, in combination, a communication through which fluid under pressure is supplied to effect an application of the brakes, a straight air pipe through'which fluid under pressure may be supplied to said communication, a brake pipe, a brake controlling valve device operative upon a' gradual reduction in brake pipe pressure for supplying fluid under pressure to said communication and operative upon a sudden reduction in brakepipe pressure for also supplying uid under pressure to said communication, means operative to limit the pressure of iluid supplied by the brake controlling valve device in response to the gradual reduction in brake pipe pressure, valve mechanism responsive to the sudden reduction in brake pipe pressure for cutting said means out of operation, and valve means responsive to the pressure of fluid in the straight air pipe for also cutting said means out of operation and for admitting fluid under. pressure from the straight air pipe to s-aid communication.

3. In :avvehicle brake equipment, in combination, a communication through which fluid under pressure is supplied to effect an application of the brakes, a straight air pipe through which fluid under pressure may be'supplied to said communication, a br-ake pipe, a brake controlling valve device operative upon a gradual reduction in brake pipe pressure for supplying fluid under pressure to said communication and operative upon a sudden reduction in brake pipe pressure for also supplying fluid under pressure to said communication, means operative toV limit the pressure of fluid supplied by the brake controlling valve device in response to the gradualreduction in brake pipe pressure, valve'mechanism responsive to the sudden reduction in brake pipe pressure for cutting said means out of operation, and valve means operative upon the supplying of fluid under pressure to the straight air pipe foralso cutting said means out of operation.

4. In a vehicle brake equipment, in combination, a communication through which fluid under pressure is supplied to eiect an application of the brakes, a straight air pipe through which fluid under pressure may be supplied to said `communication, a brake pipe, a brake controlling valve device operative upon a gradual reduction in brake pipe pressure ,for supplying iluid under pressure to said communication and operative upon a sudden reduction in brake pipe pressure for alsovsupplyingwuid under pressure tosaid v communication, means operative to' limit the pressure of fluid supplied by the brake'controlling valve device in response to the gradual reduction in brake ,pipe pressure, valve mechanism responsive to the sudden reduction in brake pipepressure for cutting said means out of. operation, and valve means separate'frorn said valve mechanism operative when fluid under pressure is supplied4 through the straight air pipe for also cutting said4 means out oi.' operation and for admitting uld under pressure to said communication.

. 5. In a vehicle brake equipment, in combination, a communication through whichfluid under pressure is supplied toeflfect an application of the brakes, a straight air pipe through which fluid under pressure may be supplied to said communication, a normally charged auxiliary reservoir, a normally charged emergency reservoir, a bra-kepipe, a brake controlling valve device operative upon a gradual reduction in brake pipe pressure for supplying fluid under pressure from the auxiliary reservoir, means for limiting the pressure of fluid supplied from the auxiliary 'reservoir to said communication, said brake controlling valve device being operative upon a sudden reduction in brake pipe pressure vto supply uid under pressure from both the auxiliary reservoir and emergency reservoir to said communication and to cut said means out of operation, and means operative when fluid under pressure vis supplied to the straight air pipe for also .cutting said means out of operation and for admitting fluid under pressure from the straight air pipe to said communication.

6. In avcombined automatic and straight air brake equipment, in combination; a communication through which fluid under pressure is supplied in eiecting both straight air and automatic applications of the brakes, a straight air pipe'through which iluid under pressure may .be supplied to said communication to effect a straight air application of the brakes, a brake pipe, a brake controlling valve device operative upon a gradual reduction in brake pipe pressure for supplying fluid under pressure to said communication for effecting an automatic service application of the brakes, means operativein eiecting an automatic service application of the brakes to limit the pressure of fluid in said communication, and a valve operative in initiating a straight air application of the brakes for ren- Y dering said means ineffective to limit the pressure of fluid in said communication, said brake controlling valve device being operative upon a sudden reduction in brake pipe pressure for supplying fluid under pressure to said communication and for rendering said means ineiective to limit the pressure of iluid in the communication.

'7. In a combined automatic and .straight air brake equipment, in combination, a communication through which fluid under pressure is supplied in effectingl both straight air and autolimit the pressure of fluid supplied to said com-l munication by the brake controlling valve device y -in effecting an automatic service application of the brakes, said emergency valve mechanism being operative upon the sudden reduction in brake pipe pressure to render said means ineiiective to limit the pressure of uid in said communication, and a valve device operative-automatically in effecting a straight air application of the brakes for rendering said means ineective to limit the pressure of iiuid in said communica-V tion.

8. Ina vehicle brake equipment, in combination, a brake application passage through which fluid under pressure is supplied to effect either a straight air or an automatic application of the brakes, a straight air passage through which fluid under pressure maybe supplied to said brake application passage, another passage through which iluid under pressure may be supv plied to said brake applicationpassage, valve c means operative to cut off communication between said other passage and the brake application passage when iiuid under pressure is supplied through said straight air passage and operative to cut off communication between the straight air passage and the brake application passagewhen uid under pressure is supplied through said other passage, a brake pipe, a brake controlling valve device-operative uponY a gradual reduction in brake pipe pressure for supplying fluid under pressure to said other passage to eilect an automatic service application of the brakes and operative upon a sudden reduction in brake pipe pressure for supplying uld under pressure to said other passage to effect an emergency application of the brakes, a pressure limiting valve device normally 'connected to said other passage for limiting the pressure of fluid being supplied to said brake application passage in effecting an automatic service application of the brakes, and valve means included in said brake controlling valve device operative upon the sudden reduction in brake pipe pressure for cutting off communication between saidother passage and pressure limiting valve device.

9. In a vehiclel brake equipment, in combination, a brake pipe, a brake controlling valve device operable upon a gradual reduction in brake pipe pressure for supplying fluid under pressure to a passage for effecting a service application of the brakes and upon a sudden reduction in brake pipe pressure for supplying fluid under pressure to said passage for eiecting an emergency application of the brakes, a straight air pipe, valve means operative upon an increase in fluid pres sure in the straight air pipe forcutting `off com--v munication through which said brake controlling valve device supplies fiuid under pressurerto said passage, a pressure limiting valve device for llmitlng the pressure of fluid supplied by said brake controlling valve device to said passage,- and means in said brake controlling valve device operative upon effecting an emergency application of the brakes for rendering said limiting valve device non-operative:

10. In a vehicle brake equipment, in combination, a brake application passage through which fluid under pressure is supplied to eiect either a straight air or an automatic application of the brakes, a straight air passage through which uid under pressure may be supplied to said brake ap- 8,1B2,*957 l l plication passage, another passage through which fluid under pressure may be supplied to said brake application. e, valve means operative to cut ci! communication between said other passage and the brake application passage when fluid under pressure is supplied through said straight air passage and operative to cut ofi communication between the straight air passage and the brake application passage when fluid under pressure is supplied through said other passage, a brake pipe, a brake controlling valve device operative upon a gradual reduction in brake pipe pressure for supplying fluid under pressure to said other passage to effect 'an automatic service application of the brakes and operative upon a sudden reduction in brake pipe pressure for supplying fluidunder pressure to said other passage to effect an emergency application of the brakes, a pressure limiting valve device normally connected to said other passage for limiting the pressure' of iiuid being supplied to said brake applil lcation passage in effecting an automatic service application of the brakes. a displacement volume chamber connected to said other passage, and means included in said brake controlling valve device operative upon the sudden reduction in brake pipe pressure for cutting oir communication between said other passage and pressure limiting valve device.

11. In a vehicle brake equipment, in combination, a brakeapplication passage through which fluid under pressure is supplied to effect either a straight air or an automatic lapplication of the brakes, a straight air passage through which uid under pressure may be supplied to said brake application passage, another passage through which iiuid under pressure may be supplied to said brake application passage, valve meansoperative to cut oi communication between said other passage and the brake application passage when fluid under pressure is supplied through said straight air passage and operative to cut 'oli' communication between the straightair passage and the brake application passage when fluid under pressure is suppliedthrough said other passage,

a brake pipe, a brake controlling valve device operative upon a gradual reduction ln brake pipe pressure for supplying uid under pressure to said other passage to effect an automatic service application of the brakes and operative upon a sudden reduction in brake pipe pressure for supplying uid under pressure to said other passage to eiect an emergency application of the brakes,- a pressure limiting valve device normally connected to said other passage for limiting the pressure of iiuld being supplied to said brake application passage in effecting an automatic service application of the brakes, a displacement volume chamber for increasing the volume into which said brake controlling valve device supplies iiuid under pressure, and means responsive to the pressure of fluid supplied through the straight air pipe for isolating said volume chamber from said communication.

12. In a vehicle brake equipment, in combination, a brake application passage through which fluid under pressure is supplied to effect either a straight air or an automatic application of the bra'kes, a straight air passage through which uid under pressure may be supplied to said brake application passage, another passage through which fluid under pressure may be supplied to said brake application passage, valve means operative to cut oli communication between said other passage and the brake application passage when fluid under pressure is supplied-through said straight air alsace? passage and operative'tocut on communication between thestraight air passage and the-brake lemergency application oi the brakes,ja` pressure limiting valve device normally connected to said other passage for limiting the pressure of fluid being supplied to .said brake application passage in eiecting, an automatic service application of the brakes, a displacement volume chamber connected to said other passage, and means operative upon the sudden reduction in brake pipe pressure rendering said pressure limiting valve device ineffective to limit the pressure of iluidnin the brake application passage.

13.l In a fluid pressure brake equipment, in combination, a brake pipe, a brake cylinder, an auxiliary reservoir, a vsupply reservoir. a brake con-` trolling valve device having a release position for admitting uid under pressure from the brake pipe to the auxiliary reservoir and for admitting uid under pressurefrom the auxiliary reservoir to the supply reservoir, means separate from the brake controlling valve device for regulating the now of fluid under pressure from the brake pipe to the supply reservoir, valve means-operative by fluid under pressure for supplying iluid under pressure from the supply reservoir to said brake cylinder, said brake controlling valve device being operative upon a reduction in brake pipe pressure to cut oil" the communication between the brake pipe and auxiliary reservoir and between the auxiliary reservoir and supply reservoir and to supply fluid under pressure to effect the operation of said valve means, and means responsive to the pressure of fluid supplied by the brake controlling valve device closing communication between the brake pipe and supply reservon'. I

14. In a iiuid pressure brake equipment, in combination, a brake pipe, a brake cylinder, an auxiliary reservoir, a. supply reservoir, a brake controlling valve device having a release position for admitting fi'uid under -pressure from -the brake pipe to the auxiliary reservoir and for admitting uid under pressure from the auxiliary reservoir to the supply reservoir, means separate from the brake controlling va e device for regulating the flow of fluid under pressure from the brake pipe to the supply reservoir, valve means operative by fluid under pressure for supplying fluid under pressure from the supply reservoin to said brake cylinder, said brake controlling valve device being operative upon a reduction in brake pipe pressure to cut off the communication between the -brake pipe and auxiliary reservoir and between the auxiliary reservoir and supply reservoir and to supply fluid under pressure-tov effect the operation of said valve means, and means responsive tov the pressure of 'iluid supplied by the brake controlling valve device closing communication between the brake pipe and supply reservoir, and1for maintaining the communication closed so long as the pressure of uid supplied by the vbrake controlling valve device -exceeds a predetermined low degree.

15: In a fluid pressure brake equipment, in combination, a brakepipe, a brake cylinder, an

auxiliary reservoir, a supply reservoir, valve means operative by fluid under pressure for supplying fluid under pressure from the 'supply reservoir to the `brake cylinder to eect ani'applica-` tion of thebrakes, a brake controlling valve device operated upon` a reduction in brake pipev pressure y-for supplying uid under pressure to effect the operation of said valve means, said brake controlling valve device having a release position for establishing a communication through which the auxiliary reservoir is adapted to be charged with fluid under pressure from the brake pipe and for establishing another communication through which i'iuid under pressure is adapted to flow from the auxiliary reservoir to the supply reservoir, a charging 4communication lseparate from the brake controllingvalve device throughwhich fluid under pressure is adapted to flow from the brake pipe to the supply reservoir, and means operatitve upon a predetermined increase in the pressure of iluidsupplied to said valve means -for closing said separate charging communication, the other charging communications being closed by the brake controlling valve under pressure to supply fluid under pressure'd from the supply reservoir to the brake cylinder, a communication through which fluid under pressure flows from the brake pipe to said reservoir, a brake controlling valve device operative upon a reduction in brake pipe pressure to supply fluid under pressure to said valve means for effecting the operation of the valve means, and means operative'by fluid' under pressure supplied by the brake controlling valve device for closing said communication.

17. In a iiuid pressure brake equipment, in combination, a brake pipe, a brake cylinder, a supply reservoir, valve means operative by fluid under pressure to supply fluid under pressure from the supply reservoir to the bralecylinder, a communication through which fluid under pressure ows from the brake pipe to said reservoir, a check valve for preventing back ow of fluid from said reservoir, a bra-ke controlling valve device operative upon a reduction in brake pipe pressure to supply fiuid underpressure to said valve lmeans for effecting the operation of the valve means; and means operative by fluid unlder pressure supplied by the brake controlling valve device for closing said communication.

18. 'In a fluid pressure brake equipment, in combination, a brake pipe, abrake cylinder, a supply reservoir, valve means operative by fluid .under pressure to supply uid under pressure from the supply reservoir to the brake cylinder, a communication through which uid under pres- .sure ows'from the brake pipe to said reservoir,

sure to said valve means to effect the operation of valve means, and a check valve for preventing back flow of fluid from the supply reservoir to said quick service passage.

19.A In a fluid pressure rbrake equipment, in combination, a Abrake pipe, a brake cylinder, a supply reservoir', valve means operative by. uid 

